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<br />Aspen HighlaNb S/cj Area - Draft EnvirontnenlallmpOCI SIalemenl <br />In addition, ASC's proposal would be affected by development on adjacent private lands over which the Forest <br />Service has no jurisdiction. In particular. Hines Interests Limited Partnership (Hines) has received general <br />submission approval from Pitkin County for a mixed use development at the base of Aspen Highlands Sid Area. <br /> <br />PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION <br /> <br />In its submittal (ASC 1995a) to the Forest Service. ASC outlined their proposal for improvements to Aspen <br />Highlands. Based on its review of the proposal. the Forest Service determined that: <br /> <br />. The proposal was consistent with the land allocation decision in the Forest Plan (USDA-FS 1984a). <br /> <br />. The proposal was consistent with the planning directions found in the Rocky Mountain Regional Guide <br />(USDA-FS 1992a) and the Master Development Plan (AHSC 1979) as related to the SUP for Aspen <br />Highlands. <br /> <br />. There have been no significant new circwnstances or changed cooditions that indicated that earlier decisions <br />should be altered. <br /> <br />PURPOSE OF PROPOSED ACTION <br />In general. the purpose of the Proposed Action is to expand. upgrade. and improve skiing facilities at Aspen <br />Highlands in order to ensure continued provision of high quality skiing opponunities and services that respond <br />to evolving customer preferences. The specific objectives (purposes) are to: <br /> <br />. Increase sider cornfon. convenience. and safety by installing modern ski lifts. demanded by increasingly <br />discerning siders. and provide more convenient lift access to existing and new sid terrain. <br /> <br />. Better utilize the entire SUP area by adding g1aded and bowl skiing for advanced and expert skiers in <br />currently underutilized areas. <br /> <br />.. Make more efficient use of and improve the appearance of existing amenities at Aspen Highlands. <br /> <br />.. Provide better and more consistent skiing conditions by increasing the reliability of sldable snow cover. <br />particularly at the beginning of the ski season when skiing is frequently delayed. <br /> <br />The proposal from ASC has several components. each of which is somewhat independent but when considered <br />as a package serve to meet the overall purpose of the Proposed Action. The extent to which eacb element of the <br />Proposed Action relates to the four objectives above is briefly described in the following paragraphs. <br /> <br />OBJECTIVE 1: INCREASE SKIER COMFORT, CONVENIEI'fCE, AND SAFm <br /> <br />Thunderbowl Lift Replacement <br />The new Thunderbowl Lift would replace ,the existing outdated Thunderbowl and Golden Horn lifts. This <br />proposed modern quad lift would increase sider convenience and safety and it would help to satisfy customers' <br />cl"",ancl for modem, more reliable lifts. The new lift would better serve existing terrain by improving sider access <br />and distribution in the Thunderbowl and lower mountain areas. It would also increase delivery speed and improve <br />loading and unloading efficiencies. It is anticipated that this lift would be used primarily for teaching. racing. <br />special events. and repeat skiing. It would have a limited role in providing access to on-mountain ski lifts but <br />could become imponant in this regard if the Exhibition I Lift malfunctions. <br /> <br />1-6 <br /> <br />P",pose and Need/or Proposed Action <br />Purpose of Proposed AClion <br />